AstraZeneca announced that MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, has entered into a clinical study collaboration with biopharmaceutical company Incyte Corporation. The Phase I/II oncology study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of MedImmune's investigational anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, MEDI4736, in combination with Incyte's oral indoleamine dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) inhibitor, INCB24360.

Dr Bahija Jallal, executive vice president, MedImmune, commented "Immuno-oncology is one of the most exciting areas in our industry and we are progressing our strong pipeline as rapidly as possible. Our partnership with Incyte is further evidence of our belief that combination therapies have the potential to be one of the most effective ways of treating cancer."

"Research collaborations that evaluate combinations of novel immunotherapies across a broad range of indications have the potential to accelerate our understanding of this rapidly evolving field, to identify new areas of opportunity for immunotherapies, and to more rapidly address the unmet needs of patients with a wide range of cancers," said Mr Hervé Hoppenot, president and chief executive officer of Incyte. "For these reasons, we welcome the opportunity to work with MedImmune to explore the potential of combining MEDI4736 with INCB24360."

AstraZeneca and MedImmune have recently initiated other immuno-oncology combination trials, including MEDI4736 with IRESSA and MEDI4736 with tremelimumab. Other combination trials are planned to start imminently, demonstrating the strength and rapid progression of the company's immuno-oncology portfolio.